NEWS RELEASES
CANADA AND CHILE TO NEGOTIATE ENVIRONMENTALAND LABOUR CO-OPERATION AGREEMENTSAS PART OF INTERIM BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT
February 29, 1996 No. 26
CANADA AND CHILE TO NEGOTIATE ENVIRONMENTAL
AND LABOUR CO-OPERATION AGREEMENTS
AS PART OF INTERIM BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT
Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton today announced that Canada and
Chile will negotiate parallel agreements on environmental and labour co-operation
as part of the Canada-Chile interim bilateral trade agreement.
"The decision to develop parallel agreements on the environment and labour
reflects the priority Canada and Chile place on co-operation in these areas," said
Mr. Eggleton.
"Environmental and labour agreements and the interim bilateral trade agreement
will together provide a bridge to Chile's full accession to the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)."
Canada and Chile have agreed to negotiate parallel agreements which will closely
resemble the North American Agreements on Environmental and Labour Co-operation
that were negotiated as part of the NAFTA. These agreements strengthen co-operation and promote the effective enforcement of domestic laws and regulations
in these areas.
"The environmental and labour agreements are an integral aspect of the NAFTA and
have provided a unique forum for co-operation between Canada and its NAFTA
partners," said Mr. Eggleton. "As such they provide an important basis for our
discussions."
Canada and Chile announced their intent to pursue an interim bilateral trade
agreement on December 29, 1995. Today's announcement coincides with the second
round of bilateral negotiations being held in Ottawa from February 29 to March 5.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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